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Monthly Column - November 2001
How Real is Harry Potter?
by Tiara, Co-site author

With the rising popularity of the Harry Potter series, it is inevitable that those who are unfamiliar with the art of witchcraft will confuse the fantasy of Harry Potter with the reality of witchcraft. Thereofre, I have provided a list of some significant differences between the two.

Harry Potter Witchcraft Real Witchcraft

Magic wands produce special effects.

Wands are used as a tool to direct energy from the self; no actual energy (lightning, etc.) comes from it.

Spells & potions are able to cause biological changes, e.g. transfiguration.

Spells & potions CANNOT change biological or physical matter.

Spells are Latinized phrases, e.g. "Alohomora!"

Spells can be in any language; they usually are in the form of short poetry or chants.

Brooms are used for flying.

Brooms, or besoms, are used to "sweep" energy away from an area; flying is merely symbolic.

Potions involve ingredients from both flora and fauna; effects are seen immediately.

Potions take the form of herbal teas; ingredients are from flora, effects take a while to manifest. Also has mundane effects.

Charms are spells.

Charms are small items charged with magickal energy for a specific purpose.

Male witches are wizards.

Witches are male and female; some male witches may call themselves wizards out of preference.

Witches always wear black capes and pointy hats.

Witches wear whatever they like.

Invisibility cloaks exist.

Although there are spells for invisibility, these spells are more for the PERCEPTION of invisibility (i.e. not many notice you) as opposed to being actually invisible.

Magic mirrors show dramatic images (e.g. The Mirror Of Erised).

Mirrors are used in some magickal workings; however, the clarity of the images shown depend on the witch and the power charged into the mirror.

Some witches are able to transform into animals.

Animal transformations happen only during meditation and astral work; no actual physical change happens.

No magic wand means no spell.

Wands aren't always necessary for every spell.


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